Your Weekend To Do List: 9/7-9/9

The same folks who present the popular winter beer festival at Duke Energy Convention Center bring the booze outdoors this weekend for Cincy Beerfest at Fountain Square. Celebrate the city’s rich brewing history in the best way — by sampling beer! More than 150 craft brews will be on tap for the fest, running 5-11 p.m. Friday and  3-11 p.m. Saturday. Buy $30 pre-sale tickets here and get automatic VIP status (which includes 24 additional exclusive beers, a souvenir mug and other perks). Walk-up admission is $45. The Cincinnati Film Festival kicked off last night, bringing a bevy of movies to Clifton, Over-the-Rhine and Downtown Cincinnati. Find your new favorite documentary, peep locally produced features, meet up-and-coming directors and attend the world premiere of a James Franco/Winona Ryder thriller, all at various venues across town. Check out our interview with CFF Executive Director Katharine Steele and get tickets and schedule info here. This weekend is Northside Second Saturday. Be sure to check out the grand opening of WordPlay, Michael Hurst’s art show That’s Just a Myth at Fabricate, Dylan Speeg’s paintings at NVISION and the newly-opened Tacocracy in addition to all the extended hours and specials at Northside bars, restaurants, galleries and shops. Whether you’re a fat-bottomed girl or more of a “Killer Queen,” most would agree Freddie Mercury is one of the most amazing entertainers of all time. Celebrate the Queen frontman’s birthday (he would have been 66 Sept. 5) at the fifth annual Freddie Mercury Birthday Bash. The Drinkery will play Queen tunes all night, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., so glitter yourself up and show off that chest hair. Skip your weekend takeout routine and visit the Hindu Temple of Greater Cincinnati for the Taste of India. Watch traditional Indian dancers, shop for art work, jewelry and spices and, of course, sample the best Indian cuisine the city has to offer. The evening ends with a fireworks display by Rozzi. The free fest runs noon-8 p.m. Saturday.Support a local environmental education nonprofit while enjoying lots of Bluegrass at Imago’s 12th Annual Music in the Woods fundraiser Saturday. Visit Imago’s 16-acre nature preserve for live music, vendors, food and drinks, a silent auction, family hikes, art projects and much more. Music begins at 4 p.m. and runs ‘til 11. Tickets are $12-$20.Shakespeare in the Park is a popular event in most major cities, bringing live theater out in the fresh air, much like when the original shows were first produced. If you haven’t caught any of these free shows, Sunday’s performance of The Tempest at Washington Park is a must-see. ArtsWave presents this special interactive production where the audience will help make the show happen. Participants will create special illusions, noise effects, lighting and more while enjoying Shakespeare’s comedy of magic and monsters. It’s fun for all ages, and a great way to get kids interested in theater. The show begins at 7 p.m., but come early for arts and crafts and face painting.For more to do this weekend and beyond, check out our full To Do recommendations and 41 other suggestions in our Cool Issue.